Hot-swappable hardware for wireless microwave links

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for hot-swappable hardware for communication links (e.g., wireless microwave links). A communication assembly that comprises processing circuitry may be configured to allow replacing a circuitry element during active operation of the communication assembly. The replacing may comprise configuring the communication assembly to communicate signals based on a first configuration, using the circuitry element being replaced; receiving addition of a replacement circuitry element; configuring the communication assembly to communicate signals based on a second configuration, using the replacement circuitry element; and after the communication assembly is fully configured to communicate signals based on the second configuration, removing the circuitry element being replaced.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application makes reference to, claims priority to andclaims benefit from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/818,204, filed on May 1, 2013; U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/881,016, filed on Sep. 23, 2013; and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/884,765, filed on Sep. 30, 2013. Each of the abovestated applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present application relate to communications. Morespecifically, certain implementations of the present disclosure relateto methods and systems for hot-swappable hardware for wireless microwavelinks.

BACKGROUND

Existing methods and systems for handling microwave communications maybe costly and/or inefficient. Further limitations and disadvantages ofconventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one ofskill in the art, through comparison of such approaches with someaspects of the present method and apparatus set forth in the remainderof this disclosure with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system and/or method is provided for hot-swappable hardware forwireless microwave links, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentdisclosure, as well as details of illustrated implementation(s) thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example microwave communication topology.

FIG. 2 illustrates hot-swap of hardware of an example microwavecommunication assembly, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate example microwave communication assembliesincorporating modular microwave transceivers, in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for hot-swappinghardware in microwave communication assemblies, in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain example implementations may be found in method and system fornon-intrusive noise cancellation in electronic devices, particularly inuser-supported devices. As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and“circuitry” refer to physical electronic components (“hardware”) and anysoftware and/or firmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, beexecuted by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with thehardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memorymay comprise a first “circuit” when executing a first plurality of linesof code and may comprise a second “circuit” when executing a secondplurality of lines of code. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any oneor more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “xand/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}.As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of theseven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. Asutilized herein, the terms “block” and “module” refer to functions thancan be performed by one or more circuits. As utilized herein, the term“example” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, orillustration. As utilized herein, the terms “for example” and “e.g.,”introduce a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, orillustrations. As utilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform afunction whenever the circuitry comprises the necessary hardware andcode (if any is necessary) to perform the function, regardless ofwhether performance of the function is disabled, or not enabled, by someuser-configurable setting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example microwave communication topology.Referring to Shown in FIG. 1 is a communication topology 100.

The communication topology 100 may comprise a plurality of communicationelements (as well as communication related resources, such as storageresources, processing resources, routing resources, etc.) which maycommunicate with one another using direct and/or indirect links orconnections (wireless and/or wired), in accordance with particularbands, interfaces, and/or protocols/standards.

In some instances, the communication topology 100 may be configured tosupport microwave communications, whereby microwave signals are used incommunication (e.g., to transmit data) between communication elements.Microwave signals may comprise radio signals having wavelengths rangingbetween 1.0 and 30.0 cm, thus occupying part of the radio spectrumcomprising frequencies in the range of ˜1.0 to 30 gigahertz (GHz).Microwave communications may be particularly well suited for use inpoint-to-point (P2P) communications, since the relatively smallwavelength of microwave signals may allow for use of conveniently-sizedantennas, which may be particularly suited for transmission and/orreception of narrow beams. Thus, transmitted microwave signals may bepointed directly at receiving antenna(s). As a result, the samefrequencies may be used by microwave communication equipment that may benear one another, without the communication equipment interfering witheach other. Another advantage of microwave communication is that thehigh frequencies of microwaves may result in microwave bands having verylarge information-carrying capacities.

Nonetheless, there may be some limitations of microwave communications.For example, the very reasons that may make microwave particularlysuited for point-to-point direct communication would limit microwavecommunications to line of sight (LOS) communications. In this regard,the relatively small wavelengths (and high frequencies) of microwavesignals makes them unable to pass through various physical obstacles,such as mountains, as lower frequency radio waves can.

An example use scenario of typical microwave communication is shown inFIG. 1, in which the communication topology 100 may comprise a microwavecommunication assembly 110 and a microwave link peer 120. In thisregard, the microwave communication assembly 110 may be used tofacilitate point-to-point (P2P) communications with the microwave peer120, whereby the two elements may communicate using microwave P2Psignals 121.

In addition to use in terrestrial (on-Earth) P2P communications,microwave communications may also be used in conjunction with satellitecommunications, and in deep space radio communications. Other uses ofmicrowaves include radars, radio navigation, sensor systems, and radioastronomy. For example, as shown in the implementation depicted in FIG.1, the communication topology 100 may also comprise one or moresatellites 130. In this regard, the microwave communication assembly 110may be configured to communicate (e.g., receive) signals 131communicated by the satellite(s) 130. For example, each satellite 130may be utilized to communicate signals 131 (which typically compriseonly downlink communication signals; but the disclosure is not solimited, and in some instances the signals 131 may also comprise uplinksignaling). The satellite signals 131 may be configured as microwavesignals.

The microwave communication assembly 110 (and similarly the microwavespeer 120) may be configured for supporting microwave communications(e.g., being installed at particular location to allow transmissionand/or reception of microwave signals). For example, the microwavecommunication assembly 110 may comprise an antenna 112 and a processingcircuitry 114. The antenna 112 may be used in receiving and/ortransmitting microwave signals. For example, the antenna 112 may be aparabolic antenna (e.g., a parabolic reflector), which may be used forcapturing microwave signals, such as by reflecting them into aparticular point (e.g., focal point of the parabolic reflector); and/ormay be used for transmitting microwave signals, such as by deflectingsignals emitted from the focal point of the parabolic reflector.

The processing circuitry 114 may be operable to handle and/or processsignals transmitted and/or received by the microwave communicationassembly 110. The processing circuitry 114 may be incorporated into, forexample, a housing that may be mounted on a boom at or near the focalpoint of the parabolic antenna (reflector) 112. In addition, oralternatively, the processing circuitry 114 may be coupled to theantenna 112. On the receive-side, the processing circuitry 114 may beconfigured to, for example, process captured microwave signals, so as torecover data carried therein, and to generate an output corresponding tothe recovered data, which may be suitable for transmission to otherdevices that may handle use and/or distribution of the data. Thedistribution of the data may be made over one or more particular typesof connections or links, and/or in accordance with one or moreprotocols. On the transmit-side, the processing circuitry 114 may beconfigured to, for example, receive data intended for transmission, andmay process the data (or any signals carrying the data) to enablegenerating corresponding microwave signals (carrying the data), with thegenerated microwave signals being particularly configured or adapted fortransmission via the antenna 112, and/or for transmission to particularintended recipient (e.g., the microwave peer 120). Example processingfunctions performed by the processing circuitry 114 may comprise, forexample, amplification, filtering, down-conversion (e.g., RF signals toIF signals), up-conversions (e.g., IF to RF), analog-to-digitalconversion and/or digital-to-analog conversion, encoding/decoding,encryption/decryption, and/or modulation/demodulation, etc.

In some instances, it may be desirable to replace components ofcommunication elements. For example, circuitry or other hardwarecomponents of the microwave communication elements (e.g., the microwavecommunication assembly 110) may need to be replaced, such as when errors(or failures) occur, and/or as part of predetermined replacementschedules. Replacing circuitry or other hardware components may,however, affect communications as the element comprising the circuitryor other hardware components may be offline during that time.Accordingly, in various implementations, systems may be configuredand/or implemented (and/or used) so as to allow replacing hardwarecomponents which may be pertinent to communication functions oroperations without causing the communication to be offline (and/or tolimit any degradation in operations). Examples of such solutions aredescribed in more detail with respect to the following figures.Nonetheless, while some of the examples described herein pertain tomicrowave communications and systems used in conjunction therewith, thedisclosure is not so limited, and similar approach may be applied toother types of communications and/or to systems that may be used inconjunction therewith (e.g., fiber).

FIG. 2 illustrates hot-swap of hardware of an example microwavecommunication assembly, in accordance with the present disclosure. Shownin FIG. 2 is a microwave communication assembly 200.

The microwave communication assembly 200 may correspond to the microwavecommunication assembly 100 of FIG. 1. In this regard, the microwavecommunication assembly 200 may be used in facilitating microwavecommunications—e.g., it may be mounted on a tower and provide a cellularbackhaul link. The microwave communication assembly 200 may comprise,for example, an antenna 210 (e.g., a parabolic antenna) and suitablecircuitry, which may be used to, for example, provide necessaryprocessing operations relating to transmission and/or reception ofmicrowave signals.

In an example implementation, the microwave communication assembly 200may be configured to support hot-swapping of hardware resources. In thisregard, the microwave communication assembly 200 may be configured tooperate while hardware components thereof are being swapped (e.g., newcomponent replacing old component) during operation (e.g., duringmicrowave communications). An example hot-swapping sequence is describedherein, whereby an old circuitry module 220 _(A) is replaced by a newcircuitry module 220 _(B), during microwave communications by themicrowave communication assembly 200. Each of the circuitry modules 220_(A) and 220 _(B) may comprise suitable circuitry for performing one ormore functions associated with microwave communications (e.g., functionsrelating to processing of microwave signals transmitted and/or receivedby the microwave communication assembly 200).

At T1, the microwave communication assembly 200, comprising at thatpoint only the old circuitry module 220 _(A), may be operable to receive(or transmit) microwave communications via the antenna 210, withcorresponding signals being input to and/or output from the antenna 210(via antenna connections 211 ₁ and 211 ₂). The corresponding signals maycorrespond to two different polarizations: polarization 1 andpolarization 2. In this regard, an example polarization that may be usedin pairs (e.g., for polarization 1 and polarization 2) may comprisehorizontal and vertical (H and V) signals, right-hand circularlypolarized and left-hand circularly polarized (RHCP and LHCP), and thelike. The old circuitry module 220 _(A) may be operable to perform atleast some of the processing necessary for transmission and/or receptionof the signals 211 ₁ and 211 ₂. It may be determined, at this point,that it is desirable to replace the circuitry module 220 _(A) with a newcircuitry module 220 _(B), and as such a hot-swapping may be initiated.The determination to replace the old circuitry module 220 _(A) may bemade for a variety of reasons (e.g., the circuitry module 220 _(A) isgetting old and it is scheduled to be replaced before it fails;failure(s) has occurred during operation of the circuitry module 220_(A), such as failure to process signals of particular polarization,etc.)

Next, at T2, the new circuitry module 220 _(B) may be added into themicrowave communication assembly 200, and the link between the microwavecommunication assembly 200 and its link partner (not shown) may beconfigured to only use only one polarization (e.g., polarization 1).Thus, the other polarization (e.g., polarization 2) may be shut downwithout affecting the microwave link—e.g., the link may remain active,but using only polarization 1. Antenna connection 211 ₂ may bedisconnected from the (old) circuitry module 220 _(A) and connected tothe (new) circuitry module 220 _(B). The circuitry module 220 _(B) (andcorresponding circuitry in the link partner of the microwavecommunication assembly 200) may be powered up and/or activated, andconfigured to use only polarization 2, while polarization 1 is stillhandled by the circuitry module 220 _(A).

Next, at T3, after communications based on polarization 2 (using thecircuitry module 220 _(B)) have been established between the microwavecommunication assembly 200 and its link partner, the circuitry module220 _(A) may be powered down and/or deactivated, and antenna connection211 ₁ may be disconnected from antenna 210 and connected to thecircuitry module 220 _(B).

Next, at T4, the circuitry module 220 _(B) may be configured to supportpolarization 1, and a polarization 1 based link may be (re)establishedbetween the microwave communication assembly 200 and its link partner.The circuitry module 220 _(A) may then be completely removed from themicrowave communication assembly 200.

In some implementations, the circuitry modules 220 _(A) and 220 _(B) mayinteract during the hot-swapping sequence, such as to exchangeinformation (or signals) that may be needed to ensure that operations ineach of the modules are handled properly. In this regard, the circuitrymodules 220 _(A) and 220 _(B) may interact via a connection 220, whichmay comprise any suitable, inter-module connection. For example, in someinstances cross-polarization interference may occur (e.g., during timeT2, where both of the circuitry modules 220 _(A) and 220 _(B) are beingused). Such cross-polarization interference may be handled in a varietyof ways during this time. In particular, the cross-polarizationinterference may be handled by coordinating operations of the circuitrymodules 220 _(A) and 220 _(B), where the modules may exchangeinformation that are available to each one of them. For example, thepolarization 1 signal (of the antenna connection 211 ₁) from the antenna210 may be looped-through to the circuitry module 220 _(B) via theconnection 221, and the circuitry module 220 _(B) may use the signal toperform cross-polarization cancellation. Additionally or alternatively,the polarization 2 signal (of the antenna connection 211 ₂) from theantenna 210 may be looped through to the circuitry module 220 _(A) viathe connection 221, and the circuitry module 220 _(A) may use the signalto perform cross-polarization cancellation. In another use example,interactions between the circuitry modules 220 _(A) and 220 _(B) maycoordinate adjusting parameters of the signals—e.g., bandwidth and/orpower of polarization 1 may ramp down while polarization 2 ramps up soas to maintain cross-polarization interference below a tolerablethreshold.

Accordingly, during the hot-swapping sequence (e.g., throughout T1through T4), the link between the microwave communication assembly 200and its link partner may remain alive (albeit potentially at atemporarily reduced maximum bandwidth/throughput—e.g., due to use ofonly one polarization). While the hot-swapping sequence depicted in FIG.2 is described with respect to microwave communications and systems usedin conjunction therewith (e.g., the microwave communication assembly200), similar approach may be applied to other types of communications(and/or to systems that may be used in conjunction therewith) where suchhot-swapping sequences may be accommodated. For example, in fibercommunications two different polarizations may also be used, componentsin systems used in conjunction with fiber communication may be also bereplaced using a substantially similar hot-swapping sequence asdescribed herein.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate example microwave communication assembliesincorporating modular microwave transceivers, in accordance with presentdisclosure. Shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are microwave communicationassemblies 300 and 350.

The microwave communication assembly 300 of FIG. 3A may comprise anantenna 310 (which may be similar to the antenna 210) and a transceiver320. In this regard, the transceiver 320 may correspond to and/or may bean implementation of module 210 _(A) of FIG. 2. The transceiver 320 mayhave a modular design, such that to enable hot swapping of one or moreof components of the transceiver 320. For example, transceiver 320 maycomprise an analog front-end module 322, a digital front-end module 324,and a baseband processing module 326.

The microwave communication assembly 350 of FIG. 3B may comprise theantenna 310 and a transceiver 360. In this regard, the transceiver 360may correspond to and/or may be an alternate implementation of module210 _(A) of FIG. 2. The transceiver 360 may have a modular design, suchthat to enable hot swapping of one or more of components of thetransceiver 360. For example, transceiver 360 may comprise a radiofrequency (RF) processing module 362, an intermediate frequency (IF)processing module 364, and a digital front-end module 366.

In operation, each of the microwave communication assemblies 300 and 350may be configured for supporting hot-swapping of hardware componentsthereof, such as, for example, described with respect to FIG. 2. Forexample, each of the analog front-end module 322, the digital front-endmodule 324, and the baseband processing module 326 of the transceiver320; and/or each of the RF processing module 362, the IF processingmodule 364, and the digital front-end module 366 of the transceiver 360may be hot-swapped in accordance with, for example, the processdescribed in FIG. 4.

While the communication assemblies 300 and 350 are described as beingmicrowave assemblies, the disclosure is not so limited, and similardesigns may be used to implement communication assemblies utilized inconjunction with other types of communications where components may bereplaced using such hot-swapping sequences may be accommodated. Forexample, substantially similar communication assemblies may beimplemented for use in conjunction with fiber communications (where useof multiple polarizations may also be possible) whereby components maybe hot-swapped in similar manner as described with respect to themicrowave communication assemblies 300 and 350.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for hot-swappinghardware in microwave communication assemblies, in accordance withpresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a flow chart400, comprising a plurality of example steps.

In step 402, a module (“old module”) of a microwave assembly (e.g., themicrowave communication assembly 200 of FIG. 2; or one of the microwavecommunication assemblies 300 and 350 of FIGS. 3A and 3B) may be selectedfor replacement. The module may be, for example, a whole transceiver, orany one or more of components or subsystems thereof (e.g., any of themodules 320-340 and 320-340 of FIGS. 3A and 3B). The decision to replacethe module and/the selection of the module to be replaced may be basedon various factors, including, for example, the module reaching the endof its life expectancy, a preset replacement date (and/or threshold) isreached, the module having already failed, etc. The old module may bereplaced by a replacement module (“new module”).

In step 404, all communications in the old module may be switched overto use a first polarization. In this regard, the module to be replaced(i.e., the old module) may be reconfigured to shut down or deactivate asecond polarization while continuing to communicate with its linkpartner using the first polarization.

In step 406, a connection carrying to the module to be replaced, fromthe antenna of the microwave communication assembly (e.g., the antenna310 of the microwave communication assemblies 300 and 350), signals of asecond polarization (e.g., connection 211 ₂ in FIG. 2; connections 321₂, 331 ₂, and/or 341 ₂ in FIG. 3A; and connections 361 ₂, 371 ₂, and/or381 ₂ in FIG. 3B) may be connected instead to the replacement module.For example, in instances where the old module to be replaced may be abox or a printed circuit board (PCB), this step may comprisedisconnecting a cable from the old module and connecting it to thereplacement module. As another example, where the module to be replacedis an integrated circuit, a new integrated circuit (IC) may be pluggedinto a free socket on the PCB on which the old module resides.

In step 408, the replacement module may be powered up and/or configuredto begin communications on the second polarization. In an exampleimplementation, the replacement module and the old module may exchangesignals to enable either or both of the modules to address issues thatmay arise during swapping of the modules. For example, the replacementmodule and the old module may exchange signals to performcross-polarization interference cancellation while the old module ishandling the first polarization and the replacement module is handlingthe second polarization.

In step 410, once the link has been established between the replacementmodule and the link partner on the second polarization, the old moduleis powered down. In an example implementation, the power, bandwidth,and/or other characteristics of the second polarization link may ramp upwhile the first polarization ramps down in order to mitigate the effectsof cross-polarization interference.

In step 412, the replacement module may be configured to use (also) thefirst polarization such that communications using both polarizations isresumed. The old module may be removed, or may be left in place butpowered down.

While the process depicted in the flow chart 400 is described withrespect to microwave communications and systems used in conjunction, asubstantially similar process may be used in other types ofcommunications (and/or with respect to systems that may be used inconjunction therewith) where such hot-swapping may be accommodated. Forexample, because different polarization may also be used in fibercommunications, the same process described herein may be applied whenreplacing components of systems used in conjunction with fibercommunications.

Other implementations may provide a non-transitory computer readablemedium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readablemedium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine codeand/or a computer program having at least one code section executable bya machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computerto perform the steps as described herein for non-intrusive noisecancelation.

Accordingly, the present method and/or system may be realized inhardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Thepresent method and/or system may be realized in a centralized fashion inat least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion wheredifferent elements are spread across several interconnected computersystems. Any kind of computer system or other system adapted forcarrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typicalcombination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computersystem with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed,controls the computer system such that it carries out the methodsdescribed herein. Another typical implementation may comprise anapplication specific integrated circuit or chip.

The present method and/or system may also be embedded in a computerprogram product, which comprises all the features enabling theimplementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded ina computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer programin the present context means any expression, in any language, code ornotation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having aninformation processing capability to perform a particular functioneither directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversionto another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a differentmaterial form. Accordingly, some implementations may comprise anon-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer readable) medium (e.g.,FLASH drive, optical disk, magnetic storage disk, or the like) havingstored thereon one or more lines of code executable by a machine,thereby causing the machine to perform processes as described herein.

While the present method and/or system has been described with referenceto certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the scope of the present methodand/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intendedthat the present method and/or system not be limited to the particularimplementations disclosed, but that the present method and/or systemwill include all implementations falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: in a communication assemblythat comprises processing circuitry for use during communication ofsignals, replacing a circuitry element in the processing circuitryduring active operation of the communication assembly, the replacingcomprising: configuring the communication assembly to communicatesignals with a particular link peer, based on a first configuration, inwhich the circuitry element being replaced; and replacing the circuitryelement being replaced while maintaining communications with theparticular link peer, by: configuring the communication assembly tocommunicate signals with said particular link peer, based on a secondconfiguration, using in which a replacement circuitry element is used;and after the communication assembly is fully configured to communicatesignals with said particular link peer, based on the secondconfiguration, powering down and/or deactivating the circuitry elementbeing replaced to enable removal of the circuitry element beingreplaced.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising configuring thecommunication assembly, after the communication assembly is fullyconfigured to communicate signals based on the second configuration, tocease communication of signals based on the first configuration, usingthe circuitry element being replaced, before removing the circuitryelement being replaced.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprising configuringthe communication assembly, before removal of the circuitry elementbeing replaced, to communicate signals based on the first configurationusing the replacement circuitry element.
 4. The method of claim 1,comprising determining the circuitry element being replaced based on oneor more replacement criteria.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the oneor more replacement criteria comprise temporal target points,performance thresholds, and/or occurrence of failures or errors.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first configuration and the secondconfiguration are based on a particular characteristic of communicatedsignals, with the first configuration corresponding to a first attributeof the particular characteristic and the second configurationcorresponding to a second attribute of the particular characteristicthat is distinguishable from the first attribute.
 7. The method of claim6, wherein the particular characteristic is polarization, with the firstconfiguration corresponding to a first polarization and the secondconfiguration corresponding to a second polarization.
 8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the particular characteristic is polarization, with thefirst configuration corresponding to a first polarization and the secondconfiguration corresponding to a second polarization.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the communication assembly comprises a microwavecommunication assembly, with the communicated signals being microwavesignals; or a fiber communication assembly, with the communicatedsignals being fiber based signals.
 10. A system, comprising: one or morecircuits for use in a communication assembly, the one or more circuitsbeing operable to enable replacing a circuitry element in thecommunication assembly during active operation of the communicationassembly, by: configuring the communication assembly to communicatesignals with a particular link peer, based on a first configuration, inwhich the circuitry element being replaced; and replacing the circuitryelement being replaced while maintaining communications with theparticular link peer, by: after a replacement circuitry element isadded, configuring the communication assembly to communicate signalswith said particular link peer, based on a second configuration, usingin which the replacement circuitry element is used; and after thecommunication assembly is fully configured to communicate signals withsaid particular link peer, based on the second configuration, poweringdown and/or deactivating the circuitry element being replaced to enableremoval of the circuitry element being replaced.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure thecommunication assembly, after the communication assembly is fullyconfigured to communicate signals based on the second configuration, tocease communication of signals based on the first configuration, usingthe circuitry element being replaced, before removing the circuitryelement being replaced.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the one ormore circuits are operable to configure the communication assembly,before removal the circuitry element being replaced, to communicatesignals based on the first configuration using the replacement circuitryelement.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more circuitsare operable to determine the circuitry element being replaced based onone or more replacement criteria.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe one or more replacement criteria comprise temporal target points,performance thresholds, and/or occurrence of failures or errors.
 15. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the first configuration and the secondconfiguration are based on a particular characteristic of communicatedsignals, with the first configuration corresponding to a first attributeof the particular characteristic and the second configurationcorresponding to a second attribute of the particular characteristicthat is distinguishable from the first attribute.
 16. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the communication assembly comprises a microwavecommunication assembly, with the communicated signals being microwavesignals; or a fiber communication assembly, with the communicatedsignals being fiber based signals.
 17. A system, comprising: an antennaelement configurable for transmitting and/or receiving signals; andprocessing circuitry connected to the antenna element, the processingcircuitry being used during processing of transmitted and/or receivedsignals; wherein the processing circuitry is replaceable whilemaintaining communications of signals with a particular link peer, andwherein replacement of the processing circuitry comprises: connecting areplacement circuitry to the antenna element; while the processingcircuitry being replaced is processing signals for communications withthe particular link peer based on a first configuration, configuring thereplacement circuitry to process communicated signals for communicationswith the particular link peer based on a second configuration that isdifferent from the first configuration still in use by the processingcircuitry being replaced; and after communication of signals based onthe second configuration using the replacement circuitry commences,powering down and/or deactivating the processing circuitry beingreplaced to enable removal of the processing circuitry being replaced.18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry beingreplaced is configured, prior to initiating the replacement of theprocessing circuitry, to use both the first configuration and the secondconfiguration.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processingcircuitry is connected to the antenna elements using two connectionswhen both the first configuration and the second configuration are usedprior to initiating the replacement of the processing circuitry.
 20. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the communication assembly comprises amicrowave communication assembly, with the communicated signals beingmicrowave signals; or a fiber communication assembly, with thecommunicated signals being fiber based signals.